The account of this week's sailing tragedy off Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea brings a sombre reminder to all those who love the sea and sailing - that it only takes one small mistake to turn a great pleasure into a horrifying disaster, and that we need to keep a very healthy respect for an environment which doesn't forgive.

There's a week's summary of Dee Caffari's attempt to be the first female 'wrong way' non-stop round world solo sailor, and story of a chance for YOU to sail in the Southern Ocean with Mariner Boating.

Cuba is this week's sailing destination - wonderful sailing grounds, exciting tourist destination, and, of course, Sunsail is there to provide the bareboat and the back-up that you need.

We also look at the booming pleasure boat market, and wonder when China is going to join the race, and the IPC Marine Awards in London by HRH Princess Anne bring some surprises.

Have a great week, andSail Safe

Nancy KnudsenCruising Editor

Dee Caffari Solo Attempt 18th Jan - Week's Update By Sail-World, Dee Caffari in her attempt to become the first woman to sail solo, non-stop around the world the 'wrong way', against the wind, is now into her 9th week, and seems to be able to deal with whatever is thrown her.... [more]

Yachting Tragedy points to Safety Issues By Sail_World, The tragic ending to a Man Overboard situation in the Tasman Sea last Thursday is a sober lesson for all of us who take to the sea.... [more]

Destination Cuba By Sail-World, Looking for an interesting holiday combined with a fantastic sailing experience? The southern coast of Cuba could be your answer. There are frequent flights to the island, a fascinating recent history, and wonderful sailing grounds.... [more]

2006 IPC Marine Awards-Best Sailors Boats Products By Sail-World, The inaugural IPC Marine Media Awards ceremony took place last week at Old Billingsgate in London. The stars of boating, HRH Princess Anne (pictured) and several heroes of the marine industry filled the East London venue.... [more]

Chance for YOU to sail the Antarctic? By Cruising Editor, The Antarctic has long been a lure for intrepid sailors, and now, thanks to the proactivity of Australian promoter Mariner Boating, YOU can sail the waters of the Antarctic, AND you have over a year to plan for the trip.... [more]

Boating world growth big - but wait for China! By Sail-World, A recent study by the Freedonia Group predicts sales in the order of $16billion over the next few years in the US, and the British Marine Federation claims that about 4 million Brits go boating for leisure. Worldwide, it is estimated that boating for leisure is growing at a phenomenal 9% a year.... [more]

Boats and Crews wanted for Sydney Charity Regatta By David Pescud, Boats and Crews wanted for Sydney Charity Regatta Do you love footy and sailing? Would you like to help disabled children while doing what you love? Now is your chance to combine it all.... [more]

C-MAP introduces BoatCruiser 2.0 By IBI News, C-MAP has teamed up with its Canadian OEM partner, NavSim Technology of St John's, Newfoundland, to launch a new PC navigation software product that supports C-MAP MAX and NT-plus electronic charts.... [more]

Addiction - The Delivery By Emma Watt, Navigator Emma Watt relates her delivery tale - bringing Addiction, an Inglis 37 from Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron to Sydney to compete in the Sydney to Hobart race. It should have been easy...but... [more]

Marine Industry advertisers move online!! By Al Constable, In years gone by sailors obtained most of their news about the sport from magazines. But those days are long gone. Sailors have voted with ‘their mice’ and half a million racing and cruising sailors will visit Sail-World in 2006.* Around the world many major marine industry companies are obtaining between 60% and 90% of their new business ON-LINE, with large numbers of companies are reporting figures over 40%... [more]

An interview with Nick Gill By Julie Sharpe, ‘My sport and passion was sailing. We had no sailing gear,' relates Nick Gill. He continues on to explain the start and expansion of Gill, the innovative Marine Technical Clothing company. Over the last 30 years, British dinghy sailor Nick Gill, who founded one of the most innovative of the Marine Technical Clothing companies Gill, has continually delivered major improvements in technical gear... [more]

James Craig to return to Williamstown By Mike Sabey, After an 85 year absence from Melbourne, the historic 132 year old three masted iron barque James Craig is returning to Williamstown at the invitation of the national Trust of Australia (Victoria) as a major part of this year’s Volvo race stop over celebrations.... [more]

What does the cruising sailor do about the issues of Piracy? Where are the worst areas? Should one carry arms? How does that complicate arrivals into foreign countries?... For more details and news for this event, go to: http://www.one.sail-world.com/index.cfm?SEid=612

Weather for cruisers

A quick uncomplicated summary of the many different aspects of weather information available, most from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.... For more details and news for this event, go to: http://www.one.sail-world.com/index.cfm?SEid=611

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